The 8 Limbs of Yoga: A Guide to Living with Intention

Yoga is thousands of years old, with its roots in the Vedas — ancient Hindu scriptures dating back 4,000–5,000 years. Vedic wisdom was passed down through oral teachings until the sage Patanjali gathered them in a text called The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Within this text, Patanjali outlined what we now call the Eight Limbs of Yoga — an eightfold path known as ashtanga(literally “8 limbs”). These steps act as guiding principles for life both on + off the mat, showing us how to live with more intention, purpose + awareness.

I like to think of them as a roadmap to becoming my highest vibrational self — so I can show up in service to the world.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga

1. Yamas

Think of the yamas as a guidebook for how to be a good human being. They include:

• Ahimsa – non-violence

• Asteya – non-stealing

• Brahmacharya – protection of energy

• Aparigraha – non-attachment

2. Niyamas

The niyamas are like a guidebook for personal behaviour. They include:

• Saucha – purity

• Santosha – contentment

• Tapas – discipline

• Svadhyaya – self-study

• Ishvara pranidhana – surrender

3. Asana

This is the one most people know! Asana means posture. It’s our physical yoga practice on the mat, designed to prepare the body for stillness. While many think yoga is asana, it’s actually just one part of the wider practice — 1/8th of the journey.

4. Pranayama

Prana means breath or life force + Yama means control. Pranayama is the practice of controlling + working with the breath to influence energy, clarity + balance.

5. Pratyahara

The withdrawal of the senses — stepping back from constant external stimulation to turn inward + reconnect with yourself.

6. Dharana

Concentration. Often the first stage of meditation, this is the practice of focusing the mind. A busy, restless mind is often a reflection of our busy world — Dharana helps us begin to still it.

7. Dhyana

Meditation. This is the deeper state that unfolds when concentration flows into steady awareness.

8. Samadhi

The experience of enlightenment, bliss + peace. It’s a state of complete union — with self, life + the divine.

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The Eight Limbs of Yoga are an invitation to live with greater awareness, presence + purpose — both on + off the mat.

If you’d love to explore how to weave yoga philosophy into your everyday life, join me inside the Inspired Club: